Proposed Budget Bill Could Require Employment for Medicaid, SNAP Benefits
TL/DR –
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a budget bill supported by President Donald Trump that would impose work requirements on low-income adults for Medicaid and food assistance, and cut funding to Planned Parenthood. The bill could reduce the number of people with health care by 8.6 million over the next decade, according to a preliminary estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. Supporters of the bill argue it will save money and encourage personal responsibility, while critics fear it will lead to a loss of coverage for vulnerable populations.
The budget bill backed by President Donald Trump and passed by the House of Representatives could impose work requirements for individuals to qualify for Medicaid health insurance and SNAP.
The bill also proposes funding cuts to services such as birth control. Supporters argue that this will encourage personal responsibility, reduce waste and save money.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposals could reduce health coverage by 8.6 million over the next decade. The bill also includes tax cuts.
Work Requirements for Medicaid Health Insurance
Should the bill pass as law, many Medicaid enrollees under 65 would need to work, volunteer or attend school for health insurance coverage. It’s estimated that 5 million people could lose coverage, with only Arkansas currently enforcing a work requirement leading to coverage termination.
Work Requirement Impact on Rural Areas
Increased work requirements may result in wrongful termination of benefits. This could pose a significant problem for rural hospitals. These centers may have to cover the costs for their patients who were formerly under Medicaid.
Work Requirements for Food Assistance
Work requirements would also extend to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill proposes to raise the work requirement age to 65 and extend it to parents with children over age 7.
Impact on Immigrants Lacking Legal Status
The federal government would penalize states that use their funds to provide Medicaid-covered services or subsidies for immigrants lacking legal status to buy health insurance. States would see federal funding for Medicaid expansion drop from 90% to 80%.
Curtail Abortion Access
The bill could lead to the closure of about one-third of Planned Parenthood health centers due to a provision barring it from receiving Medicaid funds.
Cuts in Health Services for Transgender People
The bill proposes to end Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care for people of all ages in 2027. It’s unclear how much Medicaid has spent on providing gender-affirming care.
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